AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL (Creates a tick control program to be implemented by the department of environmental management.)

S2660

2026 -- S 2660
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LC005304
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL

Introduced By:
Senators DiMario, Euer, Gu, Lauria, Valverde, Mack, Murray, and
Kallman

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 7.2
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TICK CONTROL
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23-7.2-1. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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(1) “Department” means the department of environmental management.
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(2) “Director” means the director of the department of environmental management.
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(3) “Public lands” includes federal, state, municipal, or other government-owned lands.
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23-7.2-2. Tick control.
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(a) To further the state’s interest in tick control for the prevention or reduction of tick-borne
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diseases, the department shall take all necessary and appropriate actions as follows:
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(1) Enter upon public lands for the purposes of determining the nature and extent of tick-
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infested areas and the presence of tick-host animals or tick-inhabited vegetation, taking control
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actions as warranted, and providing relevant educational programs.
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(i) Control actions on public lands may include:
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(A) Selective acaricide use;
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(B) Use of biological controls, management of tick-host animal populations or tick-
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inhabited vegetation, or other appropriate methods; and

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(C) Coordinate all tick-related survey or control work on public lands with the appropriate
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public lands owner or manager.
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(2) When performing control actions on public lands, the department shall:
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(i) Perform all control actions in an environmentally responsible manner and, to the extent
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practicable, avoid adversely affecting flora and fauna;
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(ii) Perform all control actions only after any required federal or state permits have been
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obtained; and
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(iii) Educate public lands owners or managers about:
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(A) Tick-prone habitats on their lands; and
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(B) Tick control or habitat management practices that may assist in reducing tick
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populations on public lands.
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(b) On written approval by private property owner(s) or their authorized representatives,
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the department may enter upon private property for any of the following purposes:
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(i) Undertaking department-conducted, tick-related scientific research or tick surveys;
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(ii) Identifying tick-prone habitats; and
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(iii) Advising private property owners as to proper tick control or habitat management
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measures that may reduce tick populations on their lands.
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(c) The department shall develop and implement a statewide integrated pest management
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strategy for tick control on public lands.
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(d) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement and effectuate a
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strategy for tick control on public lands.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005304
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TICK CONTROL
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This act would create a tick control program to be implemented by the department of
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environmental management.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005304
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LC005304 - Page 3 of 3